Can opener with removable hand lever

ABSTRACT

An electrically powered can opener has a cutter wheel carrying hand lever pivotally attached to its forward upright frame by an elongate pin assembly. The frame has a latch plate fixedly attached to the forward surface thereof and located in a plane parallel to the forward frame surface for operation with a latch, same being attached to and extending from a portion of the hand lever pin assembly. The latch and latch plate engage but cooperate to permit the pivotal movement of said hand lever within its operative environment toward and away from the frame mounted rotative can feed wheel. At the same time removal of the hand lever from the can opener frame is precluded by the engagement of the two latch members. Pivotal movement of the hand lever past the normal operating positions will cause the latch to be disengaged from the latch plate and the hand lever-pin assembly combination may be removed from the can opener frame and reassembled by an appropriate sliding movement of the hand lever with respect to the frame.

United States Patent Aberer et al.

[54] CAN OPENER WITH REMOVABLE HAND LEVER [72] Inventors: James B. Aberer, Lake Winnebago; Bill G. Mead, Raytown; Joseph J. Farkas, Kansas City, all of Mo.

[73] Assignee: Rival Manufacturing Company,

[22] Filed: Sept.'l0, 1970 [21] A l. No.: 71,078

[52] US. Cl. ..30/4 R [51] Int. Cl. ..B76b 7/38 [58] Field of Search ..30/4, 9, 252, 260

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,487,542 1/1970 Hamwi ..30/4 R 3,423,825 I/ 1969 Frost ..30/4 R Primary ExaminerAndrew R. J uhasz Assistant Examiner-Gary L. Smith Attorney-Scofield, Kokjer, Scofield and Lowe [451 Sept. 5, 1972 [57] ABSTRACT An electrically powered can opener has a cutter wheel carrying hand lever pivotally attached to its forward upright frame by an elongate pin assembly. The frame has a latch plate fixedly attached to the forward surface thereof and located in a plane parallel to the forward frame surface for operation with a latch, same being attached to and extending from a portion of the hand lever pin assembly. The latch and latch plate engage but cooperate to permit the pivotal movement of said hand lever within its operative environment toward and away from the frame mounted rotative can feed wheel. At the same time removal of the hand lever from the can opener frame is precluded by the engagement of the two latch members. Pivotal movement of the hand lever past the normal operating positions will cause the latch to be disengaged from the latch plate and the hand lever-pin assembly combination may be removed from the can opener frame and reassembled by an appropriate sliding movement of the hand lever with respect to the frame.

3 Claims, 6 Drawing figures PATENTED 5 I972 3.688.400

James I 5. 1060- INVENTORS 52/! GJ aka/Z 3' BY seph.'aras CAN OPENER WITH REMOVABLE HAND LEVER BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The Frost et al. Pat. No. 3,423,825 and the Scott Pat.

No. 3,520,056, both of which are owned by the same assignee, recited the advantages of electrically powered can openers with removable hand levers which carry the cutting elements thereon. The Frost et al. 825 further discloses a can opener with the hand lever being removable from the upright frame of the can opener by appropriately positioning the hand lever with respect thereto.

The subject invention likewise permits the hand lever to be removed by properly positioning same with respect to the can opener frame. A latch plate is mounted to the forward surface of the can opener upright frame immediately adjacent the can feed wheel and is operable to cooperate with an arcuately shaped latch which projects radially outwardly from the hand lever pin member that is pivotally positionable within an aperture in the can opener frame. The hand lever is retained, yet pivotally movable with respect to the frame, in the normal operating environment so that the cutting element attached to the hand lever may be moved toward and away from the can feed wheel thereby permitting conventional operation of the can opener. The forward surface of the pin member latch contacts the inner surface of the latch plate and precludes any removal of the lever from the plate when the parts are in the normal operating environment. When it is desired to remove the hand lever and the associated cutter wheel from the frame, the hand lever is pivoted to position past a normal operating limit so that the latch and the latch plate are disengaged, thereby permitting the hand lever to be removed from the can opener frame for cleaning purposes or the like. The procedure is reversed when it is desired to reassemble the hand lever onto the frame.

One of the principal objects of the invention is to provide, in a can opener of the type wherein the cutting element is carried by and moved into and out of the cutting position by a hand lever substantially pivoted to the body or frame of such can opener, readily removable can piercing lever which is retained in its operative positions on the can opener frame by uniquely constructed latch and latch plate combination. It is a feature of the invention that the hand lever may be removed from the frame by merely appropriately positioning the hand lever with respect thereto and without any need for special tools, push buttons or the like.

Another object of the invention is to provide a readily removable can piercing hand lever assembly which is rugged, durable, simple to operate, and which does not depend upon coil springs, leaf springs, or spring biased bifurcated latch structures to insure proper operation and hand lever removability.

A further object of the invention is to provide a uniquely constructed can opener with a removable can piercing lever assembly of the character described, which locates the lever retaining latch plate on the forward surface of the can opener yet which is uniquely operable in combination with an arcuately shaped latch to afford the necessary lever retaining and releasing functions while at the same time presenting a clean unencumbered appearing forward can opener face.

Other and further objects of the invention, together with the features of novelty appear in the course of the following description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In the accompanying drawing, which forms a part of the specification and is to be read in conjunction therewith and in which like reference numerals are employed to indicate like parts in the various views:

FIG. 1 is a front fragmentary elevational view of a power operated can opener with the instant removable can piercing lever and with the operating arts shown in the normal or at rest position;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the left-hand portion of the can opener upright frame shown in FIG. 1 with the can piercing hand lever shown in broken lines, thereby illustrating the latch plate and the embossed portions of the can opener frame;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary rear elevational view of the hand lever showing the shape and configuration of the latch and its relationship with respect to the pin member;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2 in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 5-5 of FIG. 3 in the direction of the arrows; and

FIG. 6 is a view substantially similar to that of FIG. 5, however showing the latch plate, the engaged latch and a portion of the can opener frame, said latch elements being engaged to preclude hand lever removal from he upright frame.

Referring now to the drawing, reference numeral 10 generally designates a body or frame of a typical electrically operated can opener. The principal portion of the frame as shown in the various views is adapted to cooperate with an open front box-like casing 10b and operates to support various operative parts of the can opener. A serrated or toothed rotary feed wheel 11 is operatively located on combination forward side of frame 10. The feed wheel drive shaft 12 is rotatably supported in an appropriately bearinged aperture in a thickened portion of .frarne 10. An electric motor means (not shown) rotates shaft 12 and drives feed wheel 1 1 in a conventional manner.

The subject invention is conveniently utilized with a pivotal can piercing hand lever 13 located forwardly of the frame 10 so as to provide a movable support for cutter wheel 14. The cutter wheel is mounted for free rotation on the usual stud or arbor anchored in lever 13 and held on the arbor by screw 15.

Hand lever 13 has an elongate pin assembly extending through a suitably fitted aperture in the lower lefthand portion of the lever (see FIG. 1) and is fixedly secured thereto. The forward or outwardly projecting portion of the pin assembly includes a cylindrical rodlike projection 16 which functions as a can guide. The intermediate portion of the pin assembly includes a continuation of the can guide 16 with jam nut 17 and circular flange 17a (FIG. 3) on opposite sides thereof (along with a later described annular portion of the latch) further fixedly positioning the hand lever at a proper location relative to other portions of the pin as sembly. The pin assembly further includes a generally rod or shaft-like rearwardly extending pin member 16b. Pin member 16b is rotatably positionable within an aperture 18 in a thickened portion of the front frame as suggested above.

As clearly shown in FIG. 2, the upper left-hand portion of can opener frame is embossed around aperture 18 in a selectively shaped manner. For instance, the embossed area generally indicated by the numeral 19 has three smaller clearly defined areas 190 whose outer vertical surfaces lie in substantially the same vertical plane forwardly of the can opener frame and which are so oriented to contact the inner surface of the hand lever 13 as bearing surfaces. The recessed area which extends from the lower right edge to a loopshaped termination upwardly and slightly to the left (as seen from the front) of can feed wheel 11 is generally designated by the numeral 19b. This recessed area assures freedom of movement of the hand lever and associated inwardly projecting portions as will be described later.

The embossed portion immediately surrounding aperture 18 and identified by the numeral 190 extends forwardly of the forward surface of frame 10 and inwardly from the outer surfaces of the main portion of the boss 19 and lever contacting areas 19a. As will be seen, this forms a recessed area which, when considered with the later described latch plate, allows free movement of the combined lever and latch between the required limits.

The above-mentioned latch plate, designated by numeral 20, is riveted to the forward surface of frame 10 at 21 at a location directly below the substantially lefthand portion of boss 19 and aperture 18. The plate has a lower vertical section through which rivet 21 extends to thereby fixedly locate same with its inner surface flush against the outer surface of frame 10. Plate has a substantially horizontal section 20a at a location which coincides with the upper horizontal extremity of a recessed vertical frame boss, said extremity being identified at 100. The latch plate is then formed to extend vertically upwardly at 20b to its terminus at the lower and left-hand portion (as seen from the front) of boss 19 with same having a suitable notch cut therein to mate with the shape of the lower left-hand boss 19a and with the right-hand portion (not shown) abutting against the frame boss through which the feed wheel and feed wheel shaft extend. The upper portion of the latch plate immediately below aperture 18 is arcuately shaped at 20c to insure proper clearance between the latch-associated member combination and the upper edge of the latch plate.

As suggested above with respect to the rearwardly extending pin member 16b and the circular flange 170, an annular section of the latch is located between the flange 17a and the inner surface of hand lever 13. The latch, hereinafter identified by the numeral 22, extends outwardly from the axis of pin member 16b and is integrally formed with the appropriately apertured (to permit pin member 16b to extend therethrough) annular section 22a. Accordingly, the annular section is fixedly held at a predetermined rotative position relative to the inner surface of lever 13 by the combination of jam nut 17 and flange 17a so that the latch 22 is always maintained at its appropriate relative location with respect to the axis of the pin member 16 (see FIG. 3).

In operation, hand lever 13 carrying the cutter wheel 14 thereon is pivotally mounted on the can opener by the insertion of pin member 16b within aperture 18. In its normal operating positions (which includes the movement of the cutter wheel 14 toward and away from the feed wheel E1), the hand lever is precluded from being withdrawn or removed from frame 10 by the outer surface of latch 22 contacting the inner surface of the vertical portion 20b of latch plate 20 as shown in FIG. 6. If it is desired to remove the hand lever (and cutter wheel 14) from the can opener frame 10, the hand lever 13 is rotated counterclockwise or to the broken line position shown in FIG. 2. With the hand lever in this position, the substantially vertical edge 22b of the latch 22 is freed from the vertical portion 20b of latch plate 20 so that pin member 16b may be withdrawn from the aperture 18 in frame 10.

When it is desired to reassemble the hand base and cutter wheel onto he frame, the steps are merely reversed with the hand lever positioned in approximately the broken line position of FIG. 2 and the pin member aligned and inserted within aperture 18. The inward movement of the hand lever and associated latch toward frame 10 is sufficient so that the outer surface of latch 22 lies in a vertical plane that would be spaced slightly inwardly with respect to the inner vertical surface of section 20b of latch plate 20. In this position, the edge 22b may be swung downwardly within the inner vertical plane described above with the outer surface of the latch contacting the inner surface of the above-mentioned latch plate and with free movement of the lever permitted with respect to the latch plate within the can opener operative environment.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all of the ends and objects hereinabove set forth together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the structure.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawing is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described our invention, we claim:

1. In a can opener having an upright frame, a rotary feed wheel, the combination therewith of a hand lever movably supported on the frame and carrying a cutting element thereon, said hand lever having a pin member extending therefrom and operably received within an aperture in said frame to facilitate hand lever movement toward and away from said feed wheel,

a iatch fixedly mounted relative to one of said lever and said frame,

a latch plate fixedly mounted relative to the other of said lever and said frame, said lever having a first operating position relative to said frame that enables said latch to engage said latch plate thereby precluding axial separation of said pin member from said aperture and the removing of said lever from said frame, said lever having second position spaced from said feed wheel that causes said latch and said latch plate to disengage and which permits said axial separation and the removing of said lever from said frame, said latch plate having a portion thereof lying in a plane substantially parallel to the forward surface of said frame, said latch having a substantial portion thereof located between said forward frame surface and said latch plate portion when said lever is in said first positron.

2. The combination as in claim 1 wherein said latch is mounted on said lever, said latch plate being mounted 

1. In a can opener having an upright frame, a rotary feed wheel, the combination therewith of a hand lever movably supported on the frame and carrying a cutting element thereon, said hand lever having a pin member extending therefrom and operably received within an aperture in said frame to facilitate hand lever movement toward and away from said feed wheel, a latch fixedly mounted relative to one of said lever and said frame, a latch plate fixedly mounted relative to the other of said lever and said frame, said lever having a first operating position relative to said frame that enables said latch to engage said latch plate thereby precluding axial separation of said pin member from said aperture and the removing of said lever from said frame, said lever having second position spaced from said feed wheel that causes said latch and said latch plate to disengage and which permits said axial separation and the removing of said lever from said frame, said latch plate having a portion thereof lying in a plane substantially parallel to the forward surface of said frame, said latch having a substantial portion thereof located between said forward frame surface and said latch plate portion when said lever is in said first position.
 2. The combination as in claim 1 wherein said latch is mounted on said lever, said latch plate being mounted on the forward surface of said frame and engaging said latch when said lever is in said first position.
 3. The combination as in claim 2 wherein said latch plate position being mounted on he forward surface of said frame with said latch engaging said latch plate when said lever is in said first position in a plane located between said forward frame surface and said latch plate portion. 